Folding, stuffing, and sealing machine



July 16, 1940. w. E. ROSEBUSH FOLDING, STUFFING, AND SEALING MACHINEFiled March 1, 1938 10 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR l/zZcZo ERosebuShWITNESSES EYS 5 ATTORN July 16, 1940. w. E. ROSEBUSH I STUFFING, ANDSEALING MACHINE FOLDIQENG l0 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 1, 1938 vINVENTOR Q waldo E Rosebusiu ATTORN EYS July 16, 1940.

w. E. ROSEBUSH FOLDING, STUFFING, AND SEALING MACHINE i0 Sheets-Sheet.3

Filed March 1 1938 INVENTQR ZflakioEfZoseEush ATTORNEYS w. E. ROSEBUSH8,345

FOLDING, STUFFING, AND SEALING MACHINE July 16, 1940.

Filed March 1, 1938 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 0a Z020 E. Rose busfb s E 5 s E ww.

NEYS

ATTOR July 16, 1940. w. E. ROSEBUSH FOLDING, STUFFING, AND SEALINGMACHINE Fi led March 1, 1958 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 lNVENTOR E Rose "bushATTORNEYS July 16, 1940.

w. E. ROSEBUSH FOLDING, STUFFING, AND SEALING MACHINE Filed March 1,1958 10 sheets-sheet s INVENTOR ZliaZaZb E. Roaebush WITNESSES ATTORNEYSJuly 16, 1940. w. E. ROSE BUSH FOLDING, STUFFING, AND SEALING MACHINEFiled March 1, 1938 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 INVENTOR A 0 e E m w WITNESSESATTORNEYS July 16, 1940. w. E. ROSEBUSH I FOLDING, STUFFING, AND SEALINGMACHINE Filed March 1, 1938 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 WITNESEES- M m T10 N NE YRE6 ,0 W n IHMA Z July 16, 1940; w. E. ROSEBUSH FOLDING, STUFFING, ANDSEALING MACHINE Filed March 1, 1938 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 INVENTOR WITNESSESZl/aZcZo E- fiosebush/ ATTO R N EYS July 16, 1940. w. E. ROSEBUSHFOLDING, STUFFING AND SEALING MACHINE Filed March 1, 1938 10Sheets-Sheet l0 INVENTOR Zl-"a/doli'. Hose bu 5 lo WITNESSES f BY ATTORN EYS Patented July 16, 1940 UNITED STATEfi FOLDING, STUFFING, ANDSEALING MACHINE Waldo E. Rosebush, Millwood, Wash.

Application March 1, 1938, Serial No. 193,490

10 Claims.

This invention relates to a machine for folding sheet material, stuffingor inserting the folded material together with additional matterconstituting enclosures into empty unsealed closures 6 or envelopes, andthen sealing and discharging them successively.

The machine may be used advantageously for expeditiously preparing largequantities of matter for delivery in the mails.

10' More particularly, the machine is designed and adapted for use inlarge mailing departments for the purpose of enclosing ordinarycorrespondence, invoices, bills, cards, advertising matter, mimeo- Hgraphed letters, and other usual office output in 1 envelopes ofsuitable types, including outlook and "window envelopes.

The principal object of the invention is the provision of a machine ofthe indicated character I embodying novel features of construction and20 operation.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention resides inthe combinations, arrangements and operations of the parts ashereinafter described and claimed, and as illustrated 25 in theaccompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a view of the left side of amachine embodying the features of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a View of the right side of the machine; Fig.3 is a plan ofthe machine; 30 Fig, 4 is a front view;

Fig. 5 is a rear view; Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary centralvertical section;

Fig. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sec- 35 tion, illustrating anenvelope stufing operation;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section of a magazine illustrating the manner inwhich an insert or enclosure item is being withdrawn; Fig. 9 is a viewsimilar to Fig. 8, but illustrating the manner in which the item isbeing precipitated for transference to the bunching means; Fig. 10 is adiagrammatic view illustrating the process of collecting various itemsconstituting inserts or enclosures from different soiuces simul- 45taneously and for simultaneous transference to the collecting orbunching means;

Fig. '11 is a fragmentary vertical section illustrating the manner inwhich the inserts or enclosures are bunched and subsequently retarded-50 during a sheet folding operation and just prior to the introductionthereof betweenfolds of a sheet;

Fig. 12 is a fragmentary section illustrating the manner in which theinserts or enclosures are 55 bunched;

ing the envelope flap throw member and envelope is advancing rotortogether with operating means therefor;

Fig. 15 is a view in perspective and part section illustrating anassembly of parts of the in.-

sert delivery mechanism; l t) Fig. 16 is an inside view of one of thegears and ratchet of the aforesaid mechanism; V

Fig, 1'7 is a section taken on the line ll-ll of .Fig. 15;

Fig. 18 is a sectional View of the moistener, a 1 5" portion of the fontbeing broken away Fig. 19 is a top view of one of the insert maga-,

zines and an accessory therefor so as to accommodate inserts of variouslengths; i

Fig. 20 is a vertical section of an insert maga- 20 zine showingaccessories therefor so as to accommodate inserts of various widths;-

Fig. 21 is an end view of the envelope sealer detached;

Fig. 22 is a detail section showing the manner 25 in which the. flap ofan envelope is thrown to its closed position after the envelope has beenstuffed;

Fig. 23 is a sectional view of the sheet magazine and folding rolls;

Figi'24 is a fragmentary longitudinal section of an attachment forapplying a closing strip to mailing folders; p

Fig. 25 is a transverse section showing the strip cutter of theattachment appearing in Fig. 24;

Fig. 26 is a transverse section of a mailing folder closed in accordancewith the invention.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention the machine hasa base 10from which rise side frames H and ii. of substantially the same con- 40struction, the frames arranged in spaced parallel relation. A mainroller I3 is arranged between the frames near the front end thereof. Theroller I3 is mounted on a shaft I4 whose opposite ends are journaled inbearings respectively embodied by the frames II and I2. The roller l3 isrotated through the intervention of the shaft it,

a grooved pulley l5 fast on the shaft I 4, and a grooved pulley l6 faston the shaft of anelectric motor M secured to the frame I I. A belt llen- 53 circles the pulleys l5 and I6. Auxiliary rollers I 8 and I9respectively cooperate with the roller l3 to put a first fold in each ofthe sheets to be folded and to advance the sheet for the second fold andto continue the advance of the sheet. 55

The roller I8 has stub shafts 2!] on the opposite ends thereof in axialalinement with each other and these shafts are received respectively innotches 2! in the frames. Likewise, the roller l9 has stub shafts 22 onthe opposite ends thereof respectively which are in axial alinement andwhich are received respectively in notches 23 in the frames 1 l and I2.The stub shafts 20 and 22 on each side of the machine are connectedtogether by a contractile spring 24, and each stub shaft 22' is underthe influence of a compression spring 25 which has one end bearing onthe shaft 22 and its opposite end bearing on the frame it or I2, as thecase may be. The. framehas a: recess in order to accommodate the spring2d. Rotary motion is transmitted from the main roller 13 to theauxiliary roller it? by a large-gear 26 carried by the roller i3 and asmallv gear: 21: fast to one of the shafts 22, said gear 21 meshing withthe gear 26. tain the roller is in yielding contactqwiththe roller 3.The springs 24 serve to .retain the rollers 13 and 19 in yielding.contact with each. other. at all. times. The roller i8 is moved slightlyup and down, and. this is accomplished by carriers- 28- through' whichthe stub. shafts 29- and 22 extend. The stub shafts 22 serve as. pivotsfor the carriers 28; Levers. ware carriedby the frames H and i2respectively and cooperate-withthe carries 28. Each lever 23 is underthein,- fluence of a compression. spring, 3 carried-by a lug 32 on theadjacent fame. Each lever Z'Q'is actuated by. a cam. ddfixed to theshaft M. It will therefore be understood that in each revolution. oftheroller iii, the auxiliary roller 58 will be moved up and down forapurpose to appear.

Use is made of a. holder or magazine: lilwhich is of rectangularformation. open. at the. back and upper end. The lower end near thebottom has a rod M connected therewith whose opposite ends are journaledin bearings d2 respectively carried by the-base iii. The magazine 40-isthus mounted for pivotalor oscillatory movement. The magazine 60 has abottom wall as which is provided with. an opening 413 nearer the upperend. of the magazine than. its lower end. The rollers l3 and. i9 aredisposed. at the open: ing 44 so as to act on each sheet to be foldedwhich is presented: thereto. A multiplicity of the sheets are arrangedin the magazine as and. arepresentedflatwise in. succession due to thefact that they are arranged in a pile. or stack. within the magazine 49.These sheets of letter size. in the present instance, are 8%; incheswide by 11 inches long. Each sheet to be received in the large sizeenvelopes is given two folds spaced approximately equi-distantlytransversely of the longitudinal axis of the sheet. The large sizeenvelope referred to to receive these folded sheets would hee inches by.9 inches.

The rollers l8 and 59 which rotate opposite to each other are designedand adapted to act on each sheet S presented thereto, and withdraw itfrom the magazine 40 through the opening M, and at the same time foldthe'sheet itself transversely. The fold occurs from one end of the sheeta distance equal to about one-third the length of the sheet. The rollersI8 and i9 not only fold each sheet by creasing the same, but also servein conjunction with the main roller l3 toadvance each sheet in orderthat it may be given a second fold in amanner to be explained. Ifdesired the pile of sheets in the magazine may be under a weight inorderto press them with the required pressure in contact The springs 25serve to mainwith the surfaces of the rollers l8 and 19. In order toinsure the pick-up of each successive bottom sheet, the roller l8 hasbeen made to move slightly up and down, as explained hereinabove; Ifjogging of the magazine M3 is advisable to properly advance lower endsof the sheets, then carriers 23 are connected with the magazine to rockit to and fro on axis ll Use is made of a sheet folding pocket 45 madepreferably of a single piece of sheet metal so as to provide a flat foldplate" or member 46 and a back check plate or member joined to the plate4'5 by a curved bight Q8. The lower edge portion dilofrtheplate 46 iscurved so that the mouth of the pocket will be flared to readily re.-oeive the leading edge of the sheet as it is advanced by the rollers l3and 9. The pocket is suspended. on a rod 50 which is secured to the.

plate M. The opposite ends of the rod 50 are journaled in bearings 5!carried by the frames H and i2. respectively. The pocket 1-5 is thusmounted sov as to swing, oscillate. or. pivot. on. a; horizontalaxis.A.- deflector 52 overlies the cylindricalvsurface of the roller I3between the roller l9 and the mouth. of the pocket 45. The deflector 52is supported at the opposite. ends by bosses 53 which are integrallypart. of. the. frames H and i2 on the outside thereof. The deflector 52consists of stock which is round in cross sec-' tion at the ends andhalf round. between the ends for the major portion of. the lengththereof,. so as to be. disposed parallel to the axis of rotation of theroller iii-and overly-ingthe cylindrical surface. The deflector 52serves to deflect the leading. edge. of each advancing sheet which hasbeen previously foldedby the rollers l8 and in into the pocket 5-5. Anauxiliary feed roller 5 cooperates with the main roller [3. 'This roller56 hasalined stub shafts 55 on the opposite ends. thereof respectivelywhich are journaled in bearings embodied-by the frames H and UL One ofthe shafts 55 has a gear 56. which meshes. with the ear 26- therebycausing the roller 54 to be rotated in response to the. rotation of themain. roller l3 and ma: direction: opposite to the latter. The roller Mis. arranged in proximity to the folding pocket 45. in. order to beengaged by the back plate l! thereof to limit the. movement of thepocket. After each sheet has been given the first fold by the rollersit. and til. it is advanced by the action of the rollers 13. and IS. Theleading edge thereof is deflected by the deflector 52 into the pocket45. The pressure of. the leading portion of. the sheet as itis forcedinto the pocket 45 forces the latter against the roller 54. When theleading portion of the sheet encounters the bight (it as it movesupwardly in the pocket, due to the continued advancement of the sheetthe latter will be forced between the roller M and the roller l3. Thisaction takes place because the sheet will bulge as it passes over thedeflector 52, and because the leading edge portion encounters the bightdB. The bulge is stopped in its upward movement by the curved edge 49.The sheet being pinched between the rollers 13 and 54 will be creasedtransversely and thus the sheet will be given its second fold.

However, while each sheet is being given its second fold, additionalmatter will be inserted or introduced between folds of the sheet to beadvanced therewith and. subsequently to be stuffed into an emptyunsealed envelope in a manner tobe explained. The additional matterabove referred to is to be. known as inserts or enclosures and, amongother things, will consist of invoices, bills, cards, advertisingmatter, and

other usual ofiice output.

The additional matter referred to above will be contained in holders ormagazines 60 formed at the top of the machine between the side frames IIand i2. In the present instance there are five magazines 6!). Transversepartitions or dividing walls 6! between the frames i l and i2 combinewith the latter to form the magazines (it.

Each magazine is open both at the top and the bottom, as shown mostclearly in Figs. 8 and 9. The lower edge of each wall 65 has aninturned. and slightly upwardly inclined flange which constitutes anabutment 62 extending the full length of the wall. The inserts orenclosures 52 are deposited in the magazines, the lowermost having itsforward longitudinal edge resting on the abutment 62 and its oppositerear portion resting on a roller 64. This roller may be made up ofsections having a corrugated cylindrical surface in order tofrictionally contact the inserts presented thereto one at a time by theaction of gravity. The inserts 63 are maintained at an angle ofapproximately degrees or, in other words, incline downwardly toward thefront end of the machine. The rear edges of the inserts are under theinfluence of springs 65 which are suspended from the upper edge of thewall 6! by means of a clip 65 formed integral with the upper looped endof the springs. Sponge rubber pieces 6'! held in place in recesses inthe frames II and i2 keep all,but the bottom insert from moving. Thesprings maintain the inserts in stack formation. These springs ii areslidable along the upper edge of the wall SI of g each magazine so as tobe adjustable when it is desired to use an accessory 68 foracccmmodating various inserts as to length, as shown in Fig. 19. Use mayalso be made of an accessory '59 adapted to be supported from the upperedge of the wall 6! to accommodate inserts of various widths, as shownin Fig. 20.

In order to discharge the inserts t3 downwardly and forwardly at adownward and forward angle, one at a time, there is provided mechanismas follows: Each of the rollers M has a shaft I5 whose opposite ends arereceived in bearings embodied by the frames H and if. A sleeve I6 isarranged on the shaft it adjacent the right-hand frame I2 at the outsidethereof. A gear I? is loosely mounted on the sleeve iii. The gear W ofeach shaft Iii meshes with a rack I8 resting on lugs I9 projectinglaterally from the frame I2. The forward end of the rack T8 is slidablyreceived in a bracket bearing 38 secured to the frame i2. The lugs l9and bearing Bil serve as a guide for the rack 18. A connecting rod BI issupported for reciprocation adjacent the rack by screws 62 carried bythe lugs H3. The screws 82 project through longitudinal slots 83respectively in the rod iii. These screws 82 not only limit the movementof the rod 8| in' opposite directions but also hold the rod in place inproximity to the rack 18. The forward end of the rod BI has a lug 85having a stub 85 which is slidably received in a bore in the bearing 80.

rod 8|. The rod 8! carries a spring'presseddog 89 which cooperates witha ratchet wheel pinned fast to each shaft I5. Each gear 11 carries aspring pressed dog 9| which cooperates with a ratchet wheel 92 pinnedfastto the related shaft I5. When the rack I8 slides forwardly the lug81 will encounter the shoulder 88 causing the rod 8I to move forwardly.This will cause the dog 89 to actuate the wheel 98, and as a result theshaft I5 of each magazine 60 will be rotated in a clockwise directionviewing the same from the right side of the machine. This will cause acorresponding clockwise rotation of each of the rollers 64, and as aconsequence one insert in each magazine will be moved rearwardly therebydisengaging its forward edge from the abutment 52 as shown in Fig. 8.The roller 64 as viewed in Fig. 8 is from the left side and is thereforerotating in a counter-clockwise direction. During this operation the dog8| will idly ratchet over the wheel 82. Upon the return movement of therack I8 each gear I'I. will be rotated in a counter-clockwise directionas viewed from the right side of the machine, and as a consequence thedog 90 will impart rotary movement to the wheel 92 which in turn impartsa similar movementto the shaft I5 and therefore to the roller 64. Thiswill cause the insert in each magazine previously disengaged from itsabutment 62 to be discharged or precipitated at an angle forwardly anddownwardly as shown in Fig.9. The spring 86 causes the return movementof the rod 8|. A certain interval of time elapses between the clockwiseand counterclockwise rotation of each of the rollers 64 in order thatthe inserts will be discharged simultaneously in timed accord with thesheet folding mechanism. The inserts 63 in each magazine are moveddownwardly by gravity, and if desired a follower weight may be used tocause the downward movement of the inserts. The springs 65 allow thepile of inserts to yield slightly in a rearward direction and preventsthe inserts from buckling while being disengaged from the abutment 82.The opposite rotation of the rubber rollers 64 for the intended purposeis accomplished in a practical manner by the employment of the ratchetsdescribed. However, these ratchets may be omitted and each gear TI maybe made fast on its shaft I5 so as to be rotated by the rack I8 for thepurpose of discharging the inserts.

As indicated in Figs. 8, 9 and 10, and particularly Fig. 10, the insertsare discharged'or pre cipitated simultaneously onto an endless travelingsupport which consists of five endless belts or bands 95 of suitablematerial to provide the necessary friction. The belts encircle rolls 96and 91 mounted at the front and rear ends respectively of the machinebetween the frames II and I2. The shaft 98 of the roll 91 is journaledin slidable bearings 99 carried by the frames I i and I2. Each bearing59 is adjustable by a set screw H10 carried by the frame. These screwsI80 serve for placing the belts 95 under the proper tension. The shaftll)! of the roll 96 has a beveled gear I82 secured thereto adjacent theframe l2. The gear I02 meshes with a similar gear 583 secured to theupper end of a shaft IM supported for rotation in bearings I05 and I66respectively on the frame E2. The lower end of the shaft has a beveledgear I01 secured thereto which meshes with a similar gear Hi8 fast onthe stub shaft 22 projecting through the frame I2. It will therefore beunderstood that the belts is provided a rocker I69 whose fulcrum H0 isin the form of a rod having its opposite ends supported in bearingsembodied by the frames II and I2. The rocker its has abutments III andII2 on the front and rear ends thereof respectively. The rocker operatesin the intervals between the belts '95. The rocker Hid is so balancedthat in a normal position the abutments III will project upwardly beyondthe upper surfaces of the belts. The inserts which are being advanced bythe belts 55 encounter the abutments .III and are thusco'llected orgathered in a bunch as illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12. It will beapparent from FigJlO that the inserts are delivered to the belts in suchmanner that the rear end of all but the last insert will overlap theleading edge of the following insert while at rest on the belts. Therack is has a stud H3 which encounters an upstanding member M4 on therocker shaft IIii, thereby actuating the rocker in order to allow thebunch of inserts to be advanced for introduction between folds of one ofthe sheets being folded by the folding mechanism. A tie rod H5 betweenthe frames II and I2 limits the downward movement of the rocker IIIS'bythe stud I I3.

The bunch of inserts are transferred from the belts by five belts orbands I23 which encircle rolls I2I, I22 and I23, respectively; mountedfor rotation between the frames II and I2, the shaft IZ I of each rollbeing journaled in bearings embodied by the frames. The arrangement ofthe rolls I2I, I22 and I23 is such that the belts I25 are bent at aright angle with portions extending above the roll 95 and portionsextending downwardly and forwardly below the roll 95. The rearward leadof each belt I25 cooperates with one of the belts 95 whereby to causeeach belt I2Il to move in response to the related belt 95. The bunch ofinserts is carried forwardly andthen downwardly by the belts 95 and I20until they are momentarily arrested by a means presently to bedescribed. A plate I25 is supported for swinging movement on a rod I26near the upper end thereof and attached thereto. This rod I26 issupported by the frames II and I2. The lower end of the plate I25 isunder the influence of a compression spring I21 at each side of themachine. arranged between the plate I25 and a lug l28 on the relatedframe. A rod I29 has its opposite ends supported by the frames I I andi2.

fingers I 3! each of which has a laterally bent end I32. These fingersI3! move in the intervals between the belts I28. In one position, asshown in Fig. 11 the ends '32 of the fingers will be disposed to engagethe lower edges of the bunch of inserts and in cooperation with theplate I25 will momentarily arrest the downward movement of the bunch.This movement of the fingers I3I "to the position mentioned isaccomplished by a spring I33 encircling a stud I534 on a crank I35carried by the rod I29. The spring I33 has its opposite ends inengagement respectively with the bearing I05 and a portion of the crankI35. The crank I35 has a lateral projection I36 which Each spring I21is' A tube I30 surrounds the rod and carries four depending lution ofthe main roller I3.

is engaged by a lever I31 fulcrumed on the frame I2. This lever I31 isactuated by a cam I38 on the'shaft I I. The upper end of the lever I31has a pin and slot connection I39 with the forward end of the rack 18.The lever I31 not only reciprocates the rack 18, but also actuatesthefingers I3! in each revolution of the roller I3. When the lever I31engages the projection I36 the fingers I3I will be swung forwardly asshown in Fig. 1.3, and as a result the bunch of inserts will movedownwardly guided by the plate I25 and under the influence of the beltsI20. The

bunch of inserts is released so as to drop or be 1 inserted between thefirst and third folds of the sheet at a predetermined time in the sheetfolding operation. A guide I44 on the foremost magazine 6d guides thebunch of inserts between the belts 95 and IZd. A tie rod I45 extendingbe- If desired an 5 tween the frames II and I2 supports a guard hi6which prevents the bunch of inserts from being acted on by the roller I9and serves to guide the sameto a position in which they may beintroduced between the folds of the sheet being folded.

The inserts which are transferred from the magazines. 5!] between thefolds of each sheet are advanced together with the sheet by the mainroller I3 and. the auxiliary roller 54 between an upper plate I 41 and alower plate I48 supported by the frames .II and I2 in spaced relation toeach other and inclined slightly forwardly and downwardly asshown mostclearly in Fig. 7. A

feed roller I49 has a shaft I50 whose opposite I ends are receivedrespectively in notches I5I in the frames II and I2. This roller I49coacts with rollers I52 carried by the frames I I and I2. A shaft I53 issupported by a bearing embodied by the frame I2. The inner end of theshaft I53 has a gear I54 which meshes with the gear 55' on shaft 55, andalso meshes with a gear I55 on the shaft I50. In this manner the rollerI 49 is rotated in a direction similar to that of the roller The rollers54, I49 and I52 advance the folded sheet together with the insertscarried thereby to a predetermined position from which they are advancedinto an empty unsealed envelope by means of two fingers I56 carriedby arod I51 supported at its opposite ends by bearings embodied by theframes II and I2. The end of the rod I51 at the left sideof the machinehas an arm I58 fixed thereto. This arm has a roller I59 on its outer endwhich is acted upon by cam 33. The provision and arrangement is suchthat the fingers I56 will be moved forwardly to advance the folded sheetand inserts carried there by and then be moved rearwardly in each revo-The plates I41 and I48 are out out to accommodate the fingers I56, as atI60. These plates are also cut out to ac commoolate the flap of eachenvelope.

In accordance with the invention use is made of a magazine I65 which issupported by a frame I66 secured transversely of the machine at thefront end thereof and secured in position to the frames II and I2. Themagazine is of rectangular formation, the same being constructed ofsheet metal. The magazine is open both at the top and bottom and isadapted to contain a multiplicity of empty and unsealed envelopes E instack formation. The lower edge of the front wall of the magazine isbent inwardly to form an abutment I61. The magazine I65 is slightlytilted so that the envelopes will move downwardly and be presented oneat a time in a predetermined position in which the envelope will inclineforwardly and downwardly with the back of the envelope facingdownwardly. Thereforethe flap F of each envelope will be facingdownwardly with its gummed edge forward and spaced from the back of theenvelope.

In order-to throw back the flap F of each envelope and to subsequentlyreturn it to its original position, or, in other words, in order to movethe flap of eachenvelope to open and closed po sitions, use is made ofthe following mechanism: A bracket IE8 is secured to the frame II. A

flexible flap throw member I69 has one end pivotally connected withtheouter end of the brackat as at I18. The member I69 is tapered almost toa point and is bowed or curved at its free end so as to readily engageunder the envelope flap.

The throw member I69 is swung back and forth by means of a bell cranklever I'II whose fulcrum I12 in the form of a cross rod is supported bythe frames II and I2. The member I69 rides up and down on a valley camI64 on the bracket I68. The upper end I13 of the lever I1I extendsthrough a slot I14 inthe bracket I68 and also extends in a longitudinalslot I15 in the throw member I69. The other end I16 of the lever I'IIhas a roller I11 in contact with a cam I18 fixed to the shaft I4. Acontractile spring I19 has one end thereof connected with the lever Illand its opposite end connected with the arm I58.. The

spring I19 serves to cause return movement of the lever Ill and the armI58 so as to be responsive to the contour of the respective cams I18 and33. It will be obvious that the throw member I69 will swing or pivotback and forth once in each revolution of the shaft I4. Consequently thethrow member I69 functions to move the flap of each envelope from anormally closed position to an open position and to subsequently returnthe flap to its original or closed position. The stroke of the throwmember I69 is such that it will clear the envelope flap while the latteris in open position. The envelope flap in being swung to the openposition is pressed upwardly by the throw member I69 againstsubstantially semicircular springs I88 carried bythe magazine frame I66.The lower portions of the springs I88 yield or flex upwardly in responseto the pressure exerted by the throw member I 69. member I69 has clearedthe envelope flap, the springs I88 have reacted to swing the flapslightly' downward, consequently upon the return movement of the throwmember I69 it will engage the After the throw I by the frames II and I2.A crank I81 on the rod I86 is pivotally connected as at I88 with a linkI89, and said link is pivotally connected as at I98 with one end of aslide I9I which is slidable back and forth in a guide I92 carried by theframe I2. The slide has a roller I93 which is acted on by a cam I94fixed to the shaft I4. A contractile spring I95 has one end connectedwith the pivot I88 and its opposite end is connected with the guide I92.This spring serves to maintain the cooperative relation. of the slideI9I with the cam I94 and to retract the fingers I85. The fingers Iconstitute means to engage the pocket entrance edge of each envelopeback to flex it slightly downward while the flap of the envelope is inopen position, so that the folded sheet together with the insertscarried thereby may be stuffed or inserted into the envelope by thefingers I56, the fingers I85 while acting as aforesaid also serve asguiding means to facilitate the introduction of said matter into theenvelope.

In order to exert proper pressure in conjunction with the rollers I3 andI52 for the purpose of feeding the folded sheets, each of the arbors 55of the roller 54 and eachof the ends of the shaft I58 of the roller I49has connected therewith a tension device 288. These devices areconnected with the frames I I and I2 as the case may be.

Inorder to feed and seal the stuffed envelopes there is provided thefollowing mechanism: Shafts 285 and 286 respectively are connected inaxial alinement by a coupling 281 which is in the nature of a housing,the outer ends of the shafts 285 and 286 are respectively supported bybearings embodied by the frames II and I2. The coupling 28! embodies abearing 298 which supports a shaft 289 having a rubber feedroller ZIIIon its inner end and a beveled gear 2II on its opposite end. The gear2II meshes with a beveled gear 2 I2 and one end of ashaft 2I3 whoseopposite end has secured thereto a beveled gear 2:4. The shaft 2 I a issupported for rotation and held against axial movement by a housing 2I5which embodies suitable bearings for the shaft. The housing 2 I 5 isformed integral with the frame I2. Use is made of an attachment 2I6shown in Fig. 21 detached from the machine. The attachment includes arms2| 1 andz I8 respectively which are connected together by cross rods 2I9and 228. A pair of pressure rollers 22I and 222 respectively are mountedfor rotation between the arms 2H and 2l8. The roller 22! has a shaft 223whose opposite ends extend through and beyond the arms and the shaft isthus supported for rotation. One end of the shaft 223 adjacent the arm 2I1 has a beveled gear 224 which meshes with the gear 2I4 when theattachment 2I6 is in position. The other end of the shaft 223 has abeveled gear 225 which meshes with a beveled gear 226 fast on the shaftI53 when the attachment H6 is in position. The attachment is detachablyheld in place by the engagement of the opposite ends of the rod 228respectively in bearings 221 on the frame I2, and by reason of theengagementof the shaft 223 in a bearing 228 on the frame I2. The bearing228 is of such construction that the shaft 223 may be readily engaged inthe bearing 228 and be disengaged therefrom --so that the attachment 2I6may be put into and out of use as maybe desired. "The coupling 281 hasan arm 229 which is pivotally connected as at-238 with one end of a link23I whose opposite end is pivotally connected as at .232 with a lug .233

23? and also extends into the notch 2139.

is given its first fold by these rollers.

:on the lever .l 'l-i as shown most clearly in Fig. '14.

This provision causes the movement .iof the roller 2153131110 and out.of active position in response to the operation of 'the lever Hi. Inthe up position, the roller2 l0 .willadva'nce each envelope presentedthereto to the rollers 122i and 222. The roller 2N) is brought to thedown position and remains inactive while each envelope is being stuffedor having a folded sheeti-nserted therein. By effecting themovement ofthe roller cm into and out of active position in response to theoperation of the lever "ill, it will functioniin timed accord with thestuffing mechanism of the .ma-= chine.

In order to condition ormoisten the film of adhesive substance on theinside of the flap of each -.envelope as it is advanced by the roller2m, use

is madenof a moistener 2350f suitable construction. The moistener isarranged on the frame l2 between the roller 22! and the envelopemagazinc, and is locked in position'by the attachment 216. Thismoistener includes a font 236 :and a liquid applicator consisting ofportions 23i'and 238 which bear a converging relation to each other toprovide a V-shape notch 239'to accommodate the flap .of reach envelope.The portion 238 of the applicator contains a wick Mil of ab is asfollows: The sheets containing correspond-, 431108 are withdrawn bytherollers l8 and I9 one at a time'fromthe magazine 40 and each sheet Thesheet is then fed by the rollers I3 and id to the fold pocket- &5 to begiven its second fold. During this operation inserts are delivered fromthe magazine 653 to the belts 35. The rocker IE9 collects or gathers theinserts in a bunch after 'which the hunch is transferred by thecooperation .of .the belts 95' and the belts 42s. The bunch of insertsare held momentarily by :the holding'fingel-s ldl as the sheet is beinggiven its second fold.

the first and second folds of the sheet and together with thefoldedsheet are advanced'by the rollers l3 and 5d and also the rollersI49 and 152 to a predetermined point. At thispoint the folded"sheet'together'with inserts contained'therein are advanced by thefingers 5-56 into'the empty envelope whose flapfis thrown to openposition by the throw member ltQ and while the entrance edge of theenvelope pocket is held down by theflngers I85. The envelope flap isthen thrown to closed position after which it is advanced by the roller2m to have the flap thereof moistened by the 'moistener 235 and .finallybe subjected 'to the pressure of'the rollers 22l and 222 :to press theflap of the envelope in adhesive engage- ,ment with the back of theenvelope to seal the same.

. In 'orderto produce ffoldersffrom sheet mate- .rial 'of a size 8inches wide by :11 "incheslong, there is provided 'an'auxili'arydevice'to be used in conjunction withthe machine.

This device is "illustrated in Figs. 24 :andz25. .Ihmslreet ma- Justprior to the completion :of the second fold thebunc'h of inserts :aredropped between terial from which the folders are produced will berelatively stout paper or light cardboard and is designated 25s in thedrawings. The sheets of material 25c may be placed in the magazine illhereinbefore described. Each sheet will :be

presented flatwise and will be withdrawn from the magazine. Eli] throughthe opening by the action of the rollers l8 and l9. These rollers willcrease and fold each sheet to give it isfirst fold. The second fold willbe produced in the .manner and by the folding mechanism hereinabovedescribed. Inserts or enclosures will be introduced between folds ofeach folder in the manner and by the means hereinbefore described. Themagazine H55 will beremoved from the frame M6. The guide 25l consists ofplates .252 and. 253 respectively in spaced relation vtoeach other andjoined along adjacent longitudinal edges. The guide ZEI is securedinplace to the frame The plate 253 has an opening '254 therein toaccommodate .the feed roller 210. The plate 252 has an opening 255 toaccommodate a feed roller 25,5 mounted on the plate 252. A roll of tape25f ismounted below the'plate 253 and said tape passes upwardly throughthe opening 254- The tape 25'? moves in a downwardly curved guide 2259integral with the plate 253. This guide 259 is of two parts to providespace to accommodate a knife 260 one end of which is pivoted on theframe l2, as at 2-82, and its otherend being guided by a pin and slotconnection 263, the pin thereof being carried by said frame. The knife26!! cooperates with a cutter bar 284 fixedly securedas at 265 tothef-rame l2. The knife 250 is operated by means of an arm 2% on'thefulcrum I12 of the lever I'll, and a link 28! connecting the arm 266with the arm 26L Thetape 25'! has'adhesive substance on one side thereofso as to "be applicable to the folds of the enveloping folder produced.Such "folder is shown in 26 and'is designated 258. These folders areadvanced by the fingers 556 into the guide 259. The'folder'is thenadvanced by the roller Zlfl forthe applica- "tion thereto of the tape251. The roller 2W at the same timealso advances 'the'tape 251. Thistape is moistened by the imoistener 235 andiis then subjected to thepressure of the rollers 222 to effectually seal the folder. The knife26!! is operated in" timed accord with the movement "of the folder andserves to cut the tape 25? therequired'length equal to that of "thefolder 268.

' It is tobe understood that the invention is not restricted to theembodiment illustrated in the drawings "but that details of'construction may be modified and rearranged in accordance" with theinvention as expressed in the claims hereunto appended.

"I claim:

1. In a machine of the class described, a move able support, a pluralityof devices above the 'support for depositing sheet material onsaidsupportymeans cooperating with the support'to'tem- 'porarily retard themovement of the material with respect to' the support in order to bunchthe same, a plate member at 'an'angleto 'said support against which saidbunch may be'guided iiatwise, an endless movable belt having one 'of itsleadsdisposed flatwise with respect "to said plate member to cooperatewith the latter to guide and also impart movement so said'bunch' l2.Inamachine.ofQtheclassfiescrihed,aswingan ingly mounted spring pressedplate member serving as a guide for suitable material, an endlessmovable belt having one of its leads disposed flatwise with respect tosaid member to cooperate with the latter to guide and impart movement tothe material, and means to overcome the cooperative action of the platemember and lead and to thereby momentarily stop the movement of thematerial.

3. In a machine of the class described, a swingingly mounted springpressed plate member serving as a guide for suitable material, anendless movable belt having one of its leads disposed flatwise withrespect to said member to cooperate with the latter to guide and impartmovement to the material, a rock shaft, fingers on said shaft andmovable therewith into and out of stopping position with respect to saidmember to overcome the cooperative action of the plate member and leadand to thereby momentarily stop the movement of the material.

4. In a machine of the class described, the combination of sheet foldingmeans, a plurality of magazines each of which is adapted to containinserts, a traveling support positioned to receive inserts dischargedfrom said magazines, means to simultaneously discharge inserts from saidmagazines onto said support in overlapping relation, means cooperatingwith said support to gather the inserts thereon into a bunch, and meanscooperating with said support to deliver the bunch of inserts betweenthe folds of a sheet while being folded by said sheet folding means.

5. In a machine of the class described, the combination of sheet foldingmeans, a plurality of magazines each of which is adapted to containinserts, a traveling support positioned to receive inserts dischargedfrom said magazines, means to simultaneously discharge inserts from saidmagazines onto said support in overlapping relation, means cooperatingwith said support to gather the inserts thereon into a. bunch, meanscooperating with said support to deliver thebunch of inserts between thefolds of a sheet while being folded by said sheet folding means, andpower means to operate the folding means, support, gathering means anddelivering means in timed accord.

6. In a machine of the class described, the combination of sheet foldingmeans, a plurality of magazines each of which is adapted to containinserts, a traveling support positioned to receive inserts dischargedfrom said magazines, means to simultaneously discharge inserts from saidmagazines onto said support in overlapping relation, meanscooperatingwith said support to gather the inserts thereon into a bunch, meanscooperating with said support to deliver the bunch of inserts betweenthe folds of a sheet while being folded by said sheet folding means,afid means cooperating with the folding means to advance said foldedsheet and the inserts.

'7. In a machine of the class described, the combination of a pluralityof magazines each of which is adapted to contain inserts, a travelingsupport positioned to receive inserts discharged from said magazines,means to simultaneously discharge inserts from said magazines onto saidsupport in overlapping relation, and means 00- operating with saidsupport to gather the inserts thereon into a bunch and to release thebunch for movement by the support.

8. In a machine of the class described, a movable support, a pluralityof devices above the support for depositing sheet material on saidsupport, means cooperating with the support to temporarily retard the-movement of the material with respect to the support in order to bunchthe same, a swingingly mounted spring pressed plate member, and anendless movable belt having one of its leads disposed flatwise withrespect to said plate member to cooperate with the latter to guide andimpart movement of said bunch as it is advanced by said support.

9. In a machine of the class described, a movable support, a pluralityof devices above the support for depositing sheet material on saidsupport, means cooperating with the support to temporarily retard themovement of the material with respect to the support in order to bunchthe same, a swingingly mounted spring pressed plate member, an endlessmovable belt having one of ',its leads disposed flatwise with respect tosaid plate member to cooperate with the latter to guide and impartmovement of said bunch as it is advanced by said support, and means toovercome the cooperative action of the plate member and belt lead and atthe same time momentarily stop the movement of said bunch.

10. In a machine of the class described, a movable support, a pluralityof devices above the support for depositing sheet material on saidsupport, a rocker cooperating with the support to temporarily retard themovement of the material with respect to the support in order to bunchthe same, means to operate the rocker in timed accord with the operationof said devices, a plate member at an angle to said support againstwhich said bunch may be guided flatwise, an endless movable belt havingone of its leads disposed fiatwise with respect to said, plate member tocooperate with the latter to guide and also impart movement to saidbunch as the bunch leaves the support, and means to overcome thecooperative action of the plate member and lead and to therebymomentarily stop the movement of said bunch.

